Fraudsters use forged KL DoE procurement papers to swindle suppliers of over RM200,000

The Kuala Lumpur Department of Environment (DoE) identified eight fraudulent procurement orders that exploited its name, causing two suppliers to lose over RM200,000 in total. The scheme surfaced when a diving-equipment supplier visited the department on Sept 4 to verify documents, prompting Director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab to launch an inquiry. Authorities found that the orders, including a souvenir purchase exceeding RM100,000 for a supposed programme, were fabricated with counterfeit letterheads, forged signatures and the names of department officers.

The suppliers had already transferred more than RM100,000 as advance payments to unknown parties. The DoE filed police reports, denied any involvement by its staff, and alerted the DoE Headquarters Finance Division. Further inquiries continue, and the cases have been handed to the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department, with officials warning contractors to confirm the authenticity of any government procurement paperwork before paying.